This follows an independent inquiry headed by advocate Ishmael Semenya, that no evidence by de Ruyter, conducted himself in a manner that amounts to racism.
Disgruntled Solly Tshitangano, former Eskom head of procurement, was reported to have said De Ruyter preferred white appointees and treated white-owned companies differently to black-owned ones.
As such, an inquiry was set up to investigate the allegations after senior managers at the troubled SOE, wrote to the President Cyril Ramaphosa and board chair Dr Malegapuru Makgoba on said allegations.
In his report Semenya said:” Having heard all the evidence, and considered all the documents, I could find no substantiation for the allegation that the GCE has conducted himself in any manner that would amount to racist practice.”
Semenya said he could also find no substantiation of poor governance on the part of De Ruyter or Eskom, nor could he find substantiation for the allegation that the recruitment processes were irregular. The claim that the procurement processes were unlawful was also without merit, he said.
“I, accordingly, cannot find in Eskom anyone guilty of any wrongdoing and would be making no recommendation to that effect,” he said.
De Ruyter can now focus on the irritating load-shedding, since winter season has crept in.
As for Tshitangano he has been fired.
Image (Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, cleared of any racism allegations by the inquiry).
